Last week, Amazon unveiled a new robot designed for warehouse operations, known as Vulcan. This innovative robot is equipped with advanced force feedback sensors that enable it to gauge the force it exerts when handling objects or maneuvering carts. The introduction of Vulcan is intended to enhance the efficiency of the company’s fulfillment centers worldwide by working alongside human employees. Amazon claims that the implementation of these robots has resulted in the creation of numerous new job categories within their warehouses.
Amazon’s Vulcan Robots Approach Human-Like Dexterity
In a recent announcement from its Seattle headquarters, Amazon showcased Vulcan and emphasized its unique capabilities. The technology addresses a significant challenge in automating fulfillment centers—conventional robots lack sensitivity and responsiveness. “Historically, when industrial robots encounter an unexpected object, they either stop abruptly or collide forcefully, often lacking the ability to sense their surroundings,” stated Aaron Parness, Director of Applied Science at Amazon.
The company noted that Vulcan is developed using cutting-edge advancements in robotics, engineering, and physical AI, featuring specialized force feedback sensors. Its articulated arm comes equipped with both a camera and a suction cup, utilizing a blend of sensor-driven object detection and computer vision to determine the appropriate force to apply when interacting with items.
Vulcan robot’s ruler-shaped arm equipped with a camera and suction cup
In its fulfillment centers, Amazon employs a specific storage layout designed to facilitate efficient shipping and stowing. Inventory is stored in fabric-covered pods comprising multiple compartments, with each container holding up to ten different products. While conventional robots often struggle to navigate such a complex setup, Vulcan is designed to adeptly maneuver through crowded storage spaces, enabling it to select the required items with precision.
The robot is capable of picking and stowing about 75 percent of the items housed in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, achieving speeds that rival those of frontline employees, according to the company. Testing of Vulcan is currently underway at fulfillment centers in Spokane, Washington, and Hamburg, Germany.
Amazon revealed that it has already deployed over 750,000 robots across its fulfillment centers. Furthermore, the company highlighted that this implementation has fostered the emergence of new job roles, such as robotics floor monitors and on-site reliability maintenance engineers. To support its workforce, Amazon is also providing training programs that enable employees to transition into robotics-related positions, aligning with the industry’s increasing trend toward automation.
